The European Commission has asked for "unprecedented" types, scope and amount of information in its anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles, which far exceeded the necessary request for such investigation, China's commerce ministry said Thursday.
He Yadong, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing when asked about a closed-door meeting attended by Chinese and European carmakers held on Tuesday.
"According to the feedback from companies, the European Commission has requested a large amount of information from Chinese electric vehicle and battery companies in its anti-subsidy probe. The requested information includes production and business operations, development plans, technical processes, and product formulas. Additionally, the European Commission has demanded Chinese companies to provide detailed information regarding the composition and formula of batteries. It also required companies to provide comprehensive information such as production costs of electric vehicles, procurement details of all electric vehicle components and raw materials, sales channels and pricing methods, information of customers in Europe, and supply chain layout, among other things. The types, scope, and amount of information requested by the EU are unprecedented and far exceed the requirements of anti-subsidy investigations," said He.
"The European Commission had repeatedly threatened unfavorable rulings if there was a lack of cooperation, demanding these companies to provide the aforementioned information. Although Chinese companies had done their best to cooperate and provide the requested information, the European Commission groundlessly accused them of insufficient cooperation and imposed punitive high tax rates as a result. Chinese companies are deeply shocked and disappointed by this," he said.
"The actions taken by the EU lack factual and legal basis, disregard World Trade Organization rules, undermine fair competition, and disrupt global green transition and open cooperation. China strongly opposes these actions and will take all measures necessary to firmly defend the legitimate rights of Chinese companies," said He.
China says EU asks for "unprecedented" scope of information in EV probe
